Page 28 of Tempting the Dhampir

I bite my lip to keep from saying more. My knuckles turn white from the sheer force I’m gripping my knees with, holding back. My hands aching to touch her. My tongue begging to taste her.

On my next inhale, I know I’m in big trouble. Sadie’s sweet arousal is like a caress across my skin. Like a tangible embrace of all my senses.

“We should, um”—I clear my throat, trying to rid my voice of its sudden huskiness—“finish packing. My assistant, Pierce, is waiting outside.”

“I’ll give you a moment to think of puppies and rainbows while I finish up.” She turns on her heel, flips her hair over her bare shoulder, and sashays across the room with extra sway in her hips.

I’m in big trouble with this beautiful enigma. Sadie is tempting this dhampir with every breath.

The thought reminds me that we got sidetracked during discussions and that I never got the chance to make an oath to her. This wrests me out of my lust haze faster than thinking of puppies or rainbows ever could.

“Sadie.” My tone alerts her that I’m serious about what I want to say.

Her steps halt and she looks at me over her shoulder.

“Um, zooms? Are you okay?” Sadie’s eyes jump around the room like she’s searching for a missing threat.

“I’m okay. But I want to ensure that you are okay. Bertie talked about making an oath to our partners. I’m so sorry I forgot to make it earlier. You should’ve said something.” I lightly scold her because I want her to feel safe with me, and somehow, it feels like she’s not too worried about herself. Should I be double worried on her behalf, then?

“I’m really okay. But if it’ll make you feel better, then oath away. I’m all ears. Or how do you want to do it?”

I walk over to her and hold my hands out, palms up in invitation. Sadie slowly puts her bag down on the bed then turns back to me. She places her small hands on top of mine, and I fold my fingers around her soft, dainty ones. Staring deep into her electric-blue eyes, I take a deep breath and start a personalized version of the oath my monster brothers and I settled on last night.

“Sadie. I vow to do everything in my power to keep you comfortable for the duration of your stay in Vegas. I will do my utmost to make this as much of an enjoyable experience for you until a resolution has been found. I swear by the fates that you are safe with me. I will not hurt a single hair on your head… unless you beg me to.”

I wholeheartedly mean the entire oath, but couldn’t help adding that final sentence. It just feels fitting for us to enjoy our time together and see if there’s anything to this chemistry. But I will not touch her until she’s practically begging me to. I understand I’m in a position of power and that she’s moving in on my turf. But she’s a very capable, educated woman who can make her own choices. If she wants to explore something, I’ll be a very willing participant.

“Lovely oath. I appreciate all your careful words and can feel the weight of them. However… beg? You think I’m going to ‘beg’ you to touch me?” Her voice is ripe with incredulity.

“Well, yeah. I’m not in a position to make a move on you. I don’t want to take advantage of you when you’re in a vulnerable position.” I try to explain it sincerely, but by the pursing of her lips, I can tell this is not going well for me.

“Vulnerable? So let me get this straight. You’re going to take care of me and make sure I’m happy and comfortable in Vegas?”

“Yes.”

“And you want me to enjoy myself while I’m there? For however long I’m there?”

“Again, yes.”

“And even though we have incredible chemistry and you can’t stop staring at my tits or my butt, you refuse to touch me unless I ‘beg’ for it?”

I swallow audibly and shift my weight to my other foot. “Yes.”

“Got it.” The smirk that climbs across her lips pushes her plump cheeks up, and her eyes dance with challenge. “We’ll see who’ll be begging first.”

She slowly lets her tongue peek out between her teeth and delicately drags it along her lower lip. My gaze is ensnared on her luscious lips, my body fighting against the need to drag that bottom lip into my mouth and suck on it. To reach out and wrap her long blonde hair around my fist to angle her head just so, then I can delve my tongue into her mouth, tasting her. My hands—

Nope.

I take a large step backward and blink hard to clear the vivid image. My cock is a steel bar in my pants. Sadie stares at it, then back up at my face, and scoffs. She turns around and walks over to her bag, calmly rearranging the items inside and bending over exaggeratedly at every opportunity.

Neither of us says anything, but she’s definitely made her point.

Round one: Sadie wins.

Chapter fifteen

Sadie

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